Premier League Midweek Preview by Tony
Tuesday 28th January
Manchester United v Cardiff – 7:45pm
Would you bet Man Utd at 2/7 against Cardiff? If they have a fit again Rooney and van Persie in the starting line-up, then yes. Juan Mata’s transfer from Chelsea will give Man Utd a much needed boost of confidence, and is another positive. Man Utd come fresh into this game not having a FA Cup game at the weekend, and Cardiff having a tricky trip to Bolton, yet another positive, so 2/7 is a bet.
On the negative side confidence is at a low at Old Trafford. United have lost 4 of their last 7 matches. A point for Cardiff would be a good point even if they have only picked up 1 point from the last 18.
However, I Expect a Man Utd reaction after missing out on a trip to Wembley, a game in which they in fact won in 90 minutes.
Norwich City v Newcastle – 7:45pm
Both teams need maximum points from this match for different reasons. Norwich need the win in order to ensure they are not sucked into a relegation dog fight and Newcastle need the win to maintain they Europa League place challenge.
Newcastle usually come out on top in this match, winning 3, drawing 1 and losing just the once, a game which Norwich won 4-2. Newcastle returned to winning ways with a 3-1 against WBA after a run of 3 defeats in the league. Norwich have shown solid mid-table home form at home this season winning 4 and drawing 3 this season. Norwich’s main problem has been scoring goals, averaging just a goal a game at Carrow Road. However, Norwich are good enough to at least gain a draw from this game, the best value bets being correct score 0-0 and 1-1 prices generally available at 10/1 and 6-1.
Southampton v Arsenal – 7:45pm
This is a must win game for Arsenal as they maintain their challenge for the title. Arsenal have recovered well since their pre-Christmas blip winning 5 games on the spin. Their away form in the league has been very strong only losing in the Manchester area this season. Southampton’s recent form has dipped from their bright start to the season ever since their trip to Arsenal back in November. Southampton’s 2 wins in the League since then have come against Cardiff away on Boxing Day and WBA on 11th January.
Southampton will try and press Arsenal at home, but there should be enough passing ability in the Gunners midfield to see them gain all 3 points.
Swansea City – Fulham – 7:45pm
Swansea have been pulled into this season’s relegation battle and will be without a number of key players for this game against fellow strugglers Fulham.
Swansea are a general price of 4/6 to win this match, but a quick glance at the Premier League table would appear to suggest there are better 4/6 shots to bet on this season. The Swans have picked up more points away from home this season, but only 1 point in their last 6 matches in the league.
Fulham have picked up a number of wins since the arrival of Rene Meulensteen, all these wins coming from relegation threatened teams, but they are only 1 place off the relegation zone themselves.
Swansea have got the better of Fulham in their recent encounters, but this still would not tempt me to part with my money. Recent league form appears to suggest Fulham are the better value bet in this game and are generally available at 9/2
Crystal Palace v Hull City – 7:45pm
Tony Pulis has done a fantastic job since his arrival at Selhurst Park. Not only has he got the crowd onside but he has also got the players performing again, most notably Marouane Chamakh. Their recent losses have come against the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester City and Tottenham, but they have been competitive in these losses.
Hull have been picking up points consistently throughout the season, picking up a big win against Liverpool. However, Hull’s best form has come at home and I expect them to struggle against a rejuvenated Palace side who are available to back at 6/4.
Liverpool v Everton – 7:45pm
The evening’s match of the day. Both teams are challenging for the 4th Champions League spot and Liverpool themselves still have title aspirations. You would think home advantage would go out of the window for this local derby. However, the 20 year stats in this encounter show that at Anfield, Liverpool have a 40% winning record and have picked up points when playing Everton in 90% games. In fact Everton’s last victory at Anfield in the League was back in September 1999.
Luis Suarez is the man of the moment and at present is worth a least a goal a game to his team. Ross Barkley will be a miss for Everton. However, Everton have been a tough nut to crack this season losing just twice and drawing 9 times in the league. Shared bragging rights appears to be the best bet at 3/1.
Wednesday 29th January
Aston Villa v WBA – 7:45pm
Both these Midland sides will be playing tonight for more than just bragging rights. Lying in 10th and 12th respectively, a win for either would pull them further away from the relegation zone. VIlla have the worst home record in the league and neither side’s recent form is particularly encouraging. A win a piece in their last 5 games, and only one point from their last 3, the feeling is both will just be looking to avoid defeat. The last 4 meetings between these two have ended in a draw and that’s the only outcome I can see for this one, with 12/5 the best price available.
Chelsea v West Ham United – 7:45pm
The league table doesn’t lie, Chelsea are a far better team than West Ham and should win this game with something to spare. Chelsea have dominated this fixture with West Ham only winning 1 match in the last 10 years; a 3-1 victory last season just after Rafa Benitez took temporary control of the side. The correct score 2-0 or 3-0 win to Chelsea, generally available at 6/1, 7/1 offer the best value bets
Sunderland v Stoke City – 7:45pm
Gus Poyet’s arrival has seen him guide his team to a cup final and much improved league performances in general. They remain in the relegation zone, but victory against Stoke could see them leap frogging their relegation rivals. Sunderland have picked up 9 points from their last 6 league matches and this is solid mid-table form. Stoke on the other hand are winless in the league for the last 5 games, gaining just 1 point. Mark Hughes is trying to change the playing style but he needs to get some new players in during the January transfer window to achieve this. There has been little to choose between the two teams over the years with Sunderland winning 10 times and Stoke 9, with 6 drawn matches. However, Sunderland will be on a high since booking their cup final place and should win this match to further improve their league position.
Tottenham v Manchester City – 7:45pm
How far have Tottenham come since the 6-0 thrashing they received from Manchester City just over 8 weeks ago? They have taken 24 points from a possible 30. Emmanuel Adebayor’s return to the first team has yielded 5 goals in 7 appearances and can be considered a £20 million new signing, when many thought he would be out of the club. As we know they also have a new manager who is unbeaten in the Premier League since taking over back in December.
In the same period Manchester City are unbeaten, dropping just 2 points and scoring goals for fun. The early season away day blips have now disappeared. City are the best team in the league at the moment. The 20 year historical stats are misleading for this encounter. Tottenham have got the better of City 57% of the time. However, City have won 5 of their last 6 matches against Tottenham, scoring 18 goals. Tottenham’s only victory was last April when City had lost their league title to Man Utd.
Tottenham come into this game fresh and a competitive draw would be a good result. However, I see City taking all 3 points in a tight game.
- Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
- Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.
